Anafranil

If you have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), your doctor may prescribe Anafranil. Although it is not entirely clear how the medication works, it is believed that Anafranil causes certain chemicals in the brain (norepinephrine and serotonin) to stay in the brain longer, which can help alleviate symptoms of OCD. Anafranil is available as a capsule and is usually taken one to three times a day. Some potential side effects of Anafranil include dizziness, drowsiness, and headaches.

 

What Is Anafranil?

Anafranil® (clomipramine hydrochloride) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults, teens, and children.
 
(Click Anafranil Uses for more information on what Anafranil is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Anafranil?

Anafranil is made by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. Generic Anafranil is made by several manufacturers of generic medications.
 

How Does Anafranil Work?

Anafranil belongs to a class of medications called tricyclic antidepressants. It is not entirely clear how Anafranil works. Anafranil does affect several chemicals in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine. It is thought that perhaps Anafranil allows these chemicals to stay in the brain longer, which can help with symptoms of OCD.
 
Even though Anafranil is classified as a tricyclic antidepressant (due the chemical structure of the molecule), it actually acts much like a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). SSRIs are a newer group of antidepressant medications, and many people consider Anafranil to be an SSRI, even though it is technically a tricyclic antidepressant.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;